Thy Neighbor II: Lovin' The Crew

Chapter Six

"Yo, what up Y'lan!"

"Yo, Tre! What's good, bruh?!"

Trevante had no plans to be on this side of town until a last minute work dinner called him over to West Philadelphia. Walking out of Tapico, he noticed Y'lan through the window of U City Coffee.

It feels super high school how excited Trevante becomes when he gets to hang out with Y'lan. With Michael's wedding soon approaching and Yahya sudden turn to act like a husband, Trevante feels all of his friends drifting away from him – and life too. Michael has Trevante thinking about a long game, a future. Y'lan always talks to Trevante about "laying a foundation". The two good guys of the crew talk about building their own kingdoms and Trevante wants parts.

All of his line brothers are married with children. He's the only one holding out. So, to him, Ciara comes right on time. Even if he isn't quite ready to be ready.

So even though he's joyful to see Y'lan, he's slightly taken aback when he sees Ciara sitting across the table. Although Ciara is not his girl, he already feels possessive of her. It takes him a quick minute to remember that he connected Y'lan and Ciara to do some work together. He still doesn't quite vibe with the image of Ciara sitting across from a man that could steal Ciara from right under him. Trevante knows that.

As Trevante and Y'lan dap each other, Ciara is reminded of one of her biggest blunders — Trevante doesn't know about her and Y'lan's history together. Previous to this moment, she never felt pushed to say a word. Her and Y'lan were not cool and her and Tre weren't on their way to a relationship. But now that she's been with Trevante – and just had a flashback of emotions with Y'lan – she feels that it may be time to let Trevante know.

But not here.

"Yo, man. I didn't know you were having a work meeting out here," Trevante says to Y'lan as he stands next to Ciara. "Y'all could have hopped into this work dinner."

"No worries, man. But yo, we need to get together to plan Michael's bachelor party in AC," Y'lan says as he pushes in his chair.

"Fam, I know! He was shooting for sometime in October. We need to get on it. Let's link up at that whisky bar in Old City after our meeting at the agency next week. We can start there."

Ciara feels nauseated watching Trevante and Y'lan chat each other up like best buddies. She wonders how Y'lan would feel knowing that his new BFF got inside of Ciara before he did. She wonders how angry Trevante would get knowing that he's friends with the guy that broke her heart. It feels so revengeful and petty and so right to her at this moment.

"Bet. Ciara, it was good to finally link," Y'lan says, trying to hold his bottom lip bite in control.

"Yep, Y'lan! I'll shoot you an email next week to let you know where we are in finding staff."

A brief staredown brews between Y'lan and Ciara. Trevante decides to break up the party.

"Hey, Ciara. I'm parked right down the street. Let me grab my car and I'll take you home."

"Appreciate you, Tre. Thanks."

At that moment, Y'lan's senses go haywire. Something about that exchange feels off but he quickly tries to shove off those emotions. They're neighbors, he reasons. He's just being nice.

Trevante never mentioned that he was dealing with Ciara. Since Trevante talks about all of his escapades, Y'lan feels as if he's tripping out thanks to his heart falling back into Ciara's grooves.

Come like me in person, love

Trevante tries to ignore gym manager's text as he navigates the curves of Kelly Drive, his Instagram liking spree paying off at the wrong time. In an attempt to purge those earlier moments from his system, he goes to grab Ciara's left hand as he drives them both home.

"You in a cupcaking mood, huh?" Ciara's heart explodes at Trevante's intimacy. She wasn't quite sure an act like this was in his arsenal.

"Maybe." Trevante strokes the back of Ciara's hand with his thumb as he pushes his Audi toward their exit.

"I appreciate the ride home, Tre."

"You got it. I'm sure the meeting with Proverbs went good."

"Yeah! We're going to try to work together."

Seeing Ciara at a table with another man lowkey sent Trevante off, even if it was with his friend. He now feels like he needs to keep an eye on it. Even though Trevante gives off a vibe that's big and bad, he's super insecure. Guys like Y'lan are a threat to him and since Ciara wasn't his girl yet...

Ciara stares out at the trees, thinking about her meeting with Y'lan. She feels bad for assuming that he was married. But knowing now that he's single, she feels like it gives her mind a gateway into thinking about what would happen between them. It also shows her how tight Y'lan and Trevante have become. She knows she has to tell Trevante about her past with Y'lan. She thinks that right now in the car would do but she stops.

Why mess up a dope vibe? Him holding her hand, her sneaking looks at him as he drives, BJ The Chicago Kid's "Love Inside" playing on the ride home as the sun sets across the city.

"Anytime I'm around West and you need a ride home, let me know. Can't have my girl on the train with those Uptown niggas and all that..."

My. Girl.

As Trevante parks the car, Ciara gets an email from Y'lan that he needs help next Monday morning at Proverbs for the breakfast program. Ciara feels a need to make up for blowing him off...and to satisfy her curiosity. She responds back.

"I'm in!"

Trevante deletes the text from gym manager. He's into Ciara now. Maybe for good.